Holding Gallery

Cath Andersen is the Chief Executive of the NZ Music Commission – a Government funded arts agency that undertakes projects in New Zealand and abroad to assist contemporary popular NZ music businesses.

The Music Commission runs the annual celebration NZ Music Month, funds international projects through the Outward Sound programme, has a host of resources and services available to support musicians and industry professionals; and also works with the Ministry of Education to deliver New Zealand music programmes into schools. Cath has previously worked as an artist manager, and a tour promoter and booking agent for both international and NZ bands.

Janine (J9) Russell - Noise PR

With nearly 20 years experience in the music industry, J9 created Noise PR to help New Zealand bands and brands achieve fantastic public relations results in an industry that can often be confusing and misunderstood.

J9 has worked in various roles for Universal Music, Warner Music and Universal Pictures as well as The Big Day Out, Sony Music and The Food Show. Her love of music and creative thinking makes it possible to craft bespoke PR campaigns for bands, brands and products.

Mark Roach – Recorded Music NZ

Mark has over 20 years experience in the music industry across a number of roles such as recording artist, indie record label owner, artist manager, licensing & copyright manager, music reviewer, broadcaster and creative director. He co-founded Independent Music NZ, and founded and chaired the Music Managers’ Forum. He is also a member and former chair of theMusic & Audio Institute’s Performance Advisory Committee,

In his role as Marketing & Special Projects Manager of Recorded Music New Zealand, Mark oversees web and social media management for the company and it’s brands, e.g. the NZ Music Awards, and the NZ Top 40 Charts, and jointly manages the NZ Music Hall of Fame alongside APRA; as well as being the in-house designer for all of these brands.

Mark was the driving force behind the Volume exhibtion at Auckland Museum, with a view to establishing a permanent place for NZ music heritage to be celebrated. More recently he has been working with Auckland Council on an application to join UNESCO’s international Creative Cities Network as a City of Music. He is also helping to establish a local branch of the Girls Rock! Camp movement in New Zealand.

Mark also owns and runs Muse Creative, an agency which specialises in graphic design, photography and writing for music industry clients. His graphic design clients have included such local luminaries as Bic Runga, Neil and Tim Finn and Dave Dobbyn, and international stars such as Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay.